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PEMBROKE – Despite trailing by 13 going into the second half, the UNC Pembroke women's basketball team kept its unbeaten streak alive with a big-time comeback in the second half to defeat Peach Belt Conference rival USC Aiken, 70-67, in the PBC opener on Saturday afternoon inside of the English E. Jones Center.

"We talked about it halftime, we could either hang our heads and feel sorry for ourselves or go out and do something about it. So I was really proud of the effort in the second half. I thought our girls kept battling, we were right there with the chance to get over the hump. We shot ourselves in the foot a little, but then we finally made some plays were able to take the lead," said UNCP head coach John Haskins.

Kierra Haney came up big for the Black and Gold with her second-straight double-double performance with a game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds. Three other UNCP players turned in double-digit points, including 14 points from newcomer Avae' Hardy who made good on 4-of-9 (44.4 percent) 3-point buckets. Also keeping the Lady Braves hot on the perimeter was Kamille Horne who connected on another 4-of-9 (44.4 percent) shots from 3-point territory. Rounding out the double-figures scoring was Jazmine Kemp with 11 points. Kemp also dished out a team-best seven assists and grabbed two steals.

USC Aiken was led by Courtney Mealing who shot 50.0 percent (4-of-8) was downtown and totaled 18 points. Mariah Dunn was also sharp from the perimeter draining 3-of-4 (75.0 percent) 3-point shots, while Amaura Brandt contributed another 11 points to the losing effort. The Pacers' 3-point shooting was on point in the first half, as the visitors finished the opening half shooting 60.0 percent (9-of-15) from 3-point territory.

Hardy opened up shooting, making a 3-point basket 15 seconds into the contest. A jumper from Haney put the Lady Braves up 5-0 early, but the Pacers would go on an 11-0 run to take the lead. USC Aiken remained in control throughout the first half, leading by as much as 17 points after a 3-pointer from Durian brought the score to 42-25. Haney made three-consecutive free throws to set the score at 43-30 going into the intermission.

UNCP quickly worked to cut the 13-point halftime deficit, as Kemp drilled a jump shot and Haney completed a four-point play following a foul after a 3-pointer, making the score 43-36 at the 17:56 mark. The Lady Braves continued to work from behind, slowly creeping up on the Pacers as a triple from Hardy brought the Black and Gold within four, 53-49. A made jump shot from Porscha Martin helped USC Aiken jump back ahead by eight, 59-51, but UNCP would score the next five points.

Three 3-point shots in row, including one from Hardy and two from Katelyn Mitchell gave the Lady Braves their first lead of the second half, 65-64, with under two minutes reaming. With less than 10 seconds on the clock, Haney made a layup and followed up with the bonus free throw, but Brandt hit a 3-point bucket bringing the Pacers within one, 68-67. UNCP got the ball back and Haney drained a layup to put the game away for the Black and Gold.

The Lady Braves (4-2, 1-0 PBC) have won four in a row and snap a four-game losing streak against the Pacers (2-7, 0-1 PBC). The setback was the third-straight for USC Aiken, who holds a 34-14 all-time series advantage over UNCP.

UNCP returns to the court on Monday as the Lady Braves visit the Lander Bearcats (4-4, 0-1 PBC) for a 5:30 p.m. matchup in the Horne Arena in Greenwood, S.C.

To watch the full game click HERE.